By Hannah Schenker
We all know about how important it is to protect our skin from the harmful UV exposure we are blasted with down here in New Zealand in particular, thanks to the gaping hole in the ozone layer. But do you think about your children’s eyes as well? Sunglasses are more than just a cute fashion accessory and can really help protect your child from the sun’s Ultraviolet Rays (UVR).
Our outdoor-loving kids under the age of 10 years old are at a higher risk for skin and eye damage from UVR exposure, according to Skincancer.org. This is because the skin around their eyes and eyelids is much thinner than that of an adult.
“And until about age 10, the lens of a child’s eye is clear, allowing greater solar penetration and thus greater UVR-induced ocular changes,” explains Adelaide A. Hebert, MD, professor and vice chair of dermatology, University of Houston. “After that, the lens starts to become more opaque, providing better protection.”
UVR damage increases over time which can manifest in adults as cataracts, so the sooner you start protecting your children’s eyes, the better.
Thankfully, sunglasses for kids these days are being made to protect from these harmful UV rays, but it’s important to make sure you’re choosing the right ones. Babiators from Frogs and Toadstools are a fantastic option as they provide 100 per cent UV protection from both UVA and UVB rays, which will protect not only the eyes but the skin around them.
